“Cuenca never wanted to attract retirees,”

vsimple wrote:

It reads like an IL piece especially with the prices,.

Yes, but I doubt IL would publish some of those unfavorable quotes towards expats. It would sort of be like them saying you can live well here in Ecuador on your pension, but don't expect the locals to welcome you anymore.

mugtech wrote:

As I understand it now, health insurance in Ecuador, based on my income , would cost considerably more than my medicare in the USA..

Well, I see someone on Cuencahighlife agrees with you.

Ricki  Andrew • a day ago
We are a couple that are already planning a plan B. No planes to GYE, impossible service at IESS, and soon to be twice as much as medicare. Portgual is looking really good,

JadeRiver wrote:

I moved to Ecuador upon retirement because I wanted to continue to challenge myself.  I surely am not disappointed.  Living here is an extreme challenge.
I started planning my move here a good three years before my actual move.  I am not sure why but almost all information I read both in the US and from international sources was way over positive about the move from the US to Ecuador.  None provided an analysis of the challenges expats would face.  And the cost of living was under estimated.  There are things most US citizens are used to that are a lot more expensive here than in the US and fewer choices.  Just about anything imported from the US.  Many things non-existent.
And then there is Customs who will squeeze as much money from you as they can.  And not just a little.  Walking ATM is a good description of the general attitude of the locals.  Just about all will have a proposal for you to give them money.  Every problem you encounter here, and there are many, will have a $$ solution with a discount for cash.  And the onus is on the customer for all transactions just about everywhere.  People are friendly enough but expect, as a customer, to do the work.  Things that take a few minutes in the US can be several processes here that stretch over several days.
That said I have absolutely no regrets.  I love Ecuador.  However, I did not move here for the easy cheap life.  If that is your goal Ecuador is not for you.

Good post.  And I'd like to add to what JadeRiver wrote.

Living here is an extreme challenge.

Spanish in itself is a huge challenge and there is no way around it for a person who wants to be part of society and not isolated, and I will delve into the Spanish aspect more later.

I am not sure why but almost all information I read both in the US and from international sources was way over positive about the move from the US to Ecuador.

A few reasons come to mind, they have never lived here, they profit in some way and the same is true for newspapers which have paid content on their websites even if disguised. There are only a few honest newspapers that explicitly state that such an article is paid content.

But lets not dismiss many online posters who paint Ecuador as a cheap utopia, but ironically some of these bloggers have went silent, some have even moved to places like Mexico.

None provided an analysis of the challenges expats would face.

As I mentioned some have an agenda, but also realistically how can anyone understand what an Expat is going through unless they are walking in his/her shoes. I mentioned Spanish as a challenge and without it one will be isolated. I am putting in 3-4 hours a day of organized Spanish. That's right, 3-4 hours and I don't mean entertainment like watching all Spanish TV shows with Spanish subtitles to train my ears.

Learning Spanish has become part of life, and the 3-4 hours I learn is every single day and expect to be doing so for the next two years at least, and hopefully after that it will be limited to 1-2 hours a day.

Then there's the cultural differences, a mindset of some Ecuadorians that is just completely different. Yes, it's a challenge and it's the same like trying to think in Spanish, an impossible feat without the drive to try to be fluent (even if that is impossible for most of us). Personally my challenges have not been extreme and it's because of friends and acquaintances who I've asked to intercede on my behalf in many challenges.

There are things most US citizens are used to that are a lot more expensive here than in the US and fewer choices.  Just about anything imported from the US.  Many things non-existent.

Definitely, and lets not blame it solely on customs because even with duty, taxes and fees that are upward of 50%, there is still no justification for prices charged by merchants for many items. There are items that are literally 4-6 times the cost. Think about it, if you are paying $350 for a $75 item (e.g.  dehumidifier), then that is the equivalent of buying KIA but paying for a luxurious Mercedes Benz.

In all, I appreciate posters like JadeRiver because they tell it like it is without sugar coating, and this is something that we don't get from media entities with an agenda or even people who downplay the costs and challenges.

As for myself I also love it here, and it's full steam ahead. But it's requires a lot of effort on my behalf and allocating 3-4 hours to learning Spanish every day is no easy task especially for an adult, but thankfully I'm at a point where I accept it and receive a level of satisfaction. There's also the costs of living here that are much more than I have ever anticipated and I'm expecting costs to increase as subsidies will eventually be phased out. It might be a third world country but don't fool yourself with equating that with third world prices. Dinner for two with a couple of glasses of wine is easily $70-$80 at mid range restaurants, e.g. Lucia Pie House & Grill.

norviato1 wrote:

Lucies Pie House sounds like another gringo joint. No wonder you're paying those "mid range" prices.
Whenever foreigners move in and constantly talk about "cheap everything" Ecuadoreans listen and make adjustments. Now, as far as Spanish not being easy to learn. What's up with that? Most europeans speak several languages. Are they extra terrestrials?

It is not that Spanish is any more difficult to learn than any other language, it is more that people who have only spoken their native tongue until age 65 have that much more trouble with learning a new language.  Many USA citizens believe everyone should learn English, don't learn an additional  language because they cannot see any profit in doing so.

JadeRiver wrote:

Don't go all cranky on us.  Everyone knows Europeans are very special, however it is much easier to learn a foreign language at a young age which the Europeans do.   Read up on the language learning abilities of the aged. I did.  I took an eight week course in Espanol which was mostly verbs.  The rest I am learning poco un poco and it is one of the challenges.  I think it is even more challenging for an English major such as myself due to the self inflicted expectations of proficiency.  To get where I am with English I took 16 years of courses not counting what my parents taught me before starting school, and I am still learning.  But again, I love the challenges and I love learning the Spanish language.  There are many very cool things about it.  Please just don't belittle me because I find it a challenge.

Isn't it more of a necessity for Europeans to speak, or have a basic level of proficiency in several languages?

If you took the U.S., broke a bunch of different states into countries with different languages, and then put them at war consistentely with each other, like Europe, then many Americans would probably speak more than one language, and there would probably be much more emphasis on teaching foreign languages at a young age. There just isn't that great of a need financially, or for safety that Americans need to speak several languages. It's still much more important financially, and for safety reasons that Europeans have a good grasp of various languages. Granted, Europe isn't as unpredictable as years past, but there is still an awful lot of bad feelings amongst many European Nations towards their neighbor's that could blow up at anytime, and lead to an uncertain future.

That doesn't mean it's not a good idea to study, and try and learn different languages. Especially if where you are moving speaks a different language, and personally think there should be more emphasis on starting children at a younger age in language courses in the U.S.

norviato1 wrote:

Lucies Pie House sounds like another gringo joint. No wonder you're paying those "mid range" prices.
Whenever foreigners move in and constantly talk about "cheap everything" Ecuadoreans listen and make adjustments. Now, as far as Spanish not being easy to learn. What's up with that? Most europeans speak several languages. Are they extra terrestrials?

So you assume that Lucia Pie House & Grill is a “gringo joint”, because of the name? By that same faulty logic you would assume that Mizu is frequented by Japanese, and that Soulvaki is frequented by Greek.

Clearly that is not the case because in Quito, many restaurants are named after their cuisine rather than by the people who frequent them, for e.g. Lucia is American cuisine, Mizu Japanese, and Soulvaki Greek.  All of them like nearly all restaurants in Quito are frequented by Ecuadorians, a fact that anyone who regularly dines out would know.

As for why Europeans know multiple language, read what JadeRiver wrote. Many Europeans are beneficiaries of multiple languages because in some European countries children from as young as  elementary school are taught a foreign language, and from secondary school they are taught a second foreign language. A small percentage of students are also taught a third foreign language.

So comparing Europeans’ proficiency in multiple languages which for many was acquired in adolescence to people who have moved to Ecuador at as adults is an illogical argument, simply put it's like comparing apples to oranges.

Sophems wrote:

In the US, we work to live for several reasons.  I loved my job and profession and it made me feel as if I had a purpose.  I made good money, have no children and lived the lifestyle I chose without anyone telling me I couldn't.  Here, I don't work to live, I'm bored out of my mind.  It's hard for us to travel together cause I can't find a decent kennel for my dogs, and I refuse to not treat them as they are accustomed.  They didn't chose to come here.   I have no independence here, have to watch what I spend and no longer have access to what I consider necessities of life.  I won't list any, cause I refuse to be judged by my opinion of my lifestyle.  I have learned material things aren't important as I once thought, but I absolutely detest having to depend on my husband to support me.  It's just not in my DNA and I was never raised that way.  Trust me I do not live an extravagant lifestyle here, but I'm sure others would think I do.  I seldom leave home, cause there's nothing here that I really want to do anymore.  I've done it all.  And people who I thought I could trust and considered friends just keep dropping like flies with all their lies, gossip and deceptions.  I'm not used to that either.  So I would rather work to live and live the lifestyle that I used to.  That's what I meant.

And so you are returning to the USA when?  Sounds like you need to return soon.

Sophems wrote:

In the US... I loved my job and profession and it made me feel as if I had a purpose.  I made good money ... and lived the lifestyle I chose without anyone telling me I couldn't.

I'm bored out of my mind....

I absolutely detest having to depend on my husband to support me.  I seldom leave home, cause there's nothing here that I really want to do anymore....

And people who I thought I could trust and considered friends just keep dropping like flies with all their lies, gossip and deceptions.

Mugtech's point -- return home -- is spot on.

Over time, the sheer volume of your posts about Ecuador's not offering you a decent life .. has moved beyond venting .. and is clearly a cry for help.

You have a choice and know what you want .. so take Mugtech's advice.

Complaining on forum threads that you can't take it anymore won't make a difference in your life until you take action.

No one with options should have to endure the suffering involved in your isolation and your living for months and years in a place that is not right for you.

The status quo is producing unrelenting misery for you.

Give up the struggle.

Do the right thing.

cccmedia